Chemistry Why Does IF5 Exhibit a Square Pyramidal Shape Despite Exceeding the Octet Rule?

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SUMMARY

The molecular geometry of IF5 is square pyramidal, despite iodine exceeding the octet rule. Iodine has 7 valence electrons and forms 5 bonds with fluorine atoms, resulting in a total of 12 electrons or 6 electron pairs around the iodine atom. The presence of an additional lone pair on iodine leads to the square pyramidal shape rather than a square planar configuration. Understanding the arrangement of electron pairs is crucial for predicting molecular geometry in such cases.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory
  • Knowledge of molecular geometry and bond angles
  • Familiarity with valence electrons and their role in bonding
  • Basic concepts of the octet rule and exceptions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study VSEPR theory in detail to predict molecular shapes
  • Learn about exceptions to the octet rule, particularly for elements in period 3 and beyond
  • Explore the concept of lone pairs and their influence on molecular geometry
  • Investigate the properties and structures of other hypervalent molecules
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, molecular geometry enthusiasts, and anyone studying hypervalent compounds will benefit from this discussion.

jolly_math
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Homework Statement
Predict the molecular structure of IF5 and its overall polarity.
Relevant Equations
lewis structure
VSEPR
I thought it was trigonal bipyramidal, with iodine forming 5 bonds with 5 fluorine atoms. Actually, iodine has another lone electron pair, making it square planar.

Is there a reason why iodine has another lone pair when it has already exceeded the octet rule? And how would I predict how many electron pairs a central atom exceeding the octet rule would have? Thank you.
 
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Iodine has 7 valence electrons. The fluorines contribute 1 each. So you have 12 electrons, or 6 pairs to arrange around the I atom.
And IF5 is square pyramidal, not square planar.
 

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